Submitted

Sat, Jun 14th 2014 12:00 pm

School districts would keep 100 percent of proceeds

State Sen. Mark Grisanti announced today he has sponsored
and passed legislation in the Senate that would allow the board of education of
any school district to enter into a contract for the sale of advertising space
on school athletic fields owned or leased by the school district. The school
district would keep 100 percent of the revenue.

Current law does not allow school districts to enter into
agreements to advertise on athletic fields.

"I have heard from the schools in my district, and they
all need additional funding and resources," Grisanti said. "We must find other
creative ways to increase school revenue without raising taxes. This
legislation does just that."

Mark P. Mondanaro, Ken-Ton superintendent of schools, said, "We appreciate
Sen. Grisanti's sponsored legislation regarding advertisement revenue. There is
some state history with this subject, but that was a long time ago. We are
clearly in a changed economy, and alternative sources of revenue need to be
pursued. The senator understands that, and he is working to achieve that goal
for the benefit of our students."

Dr. Richard Jetter, Hamburg CSD superintendent of schools,
said, "Finally, it is recognized that school districts have limited ways
to raise revenue. While we do not want to advertise or 'brand' our students to
death, there are creative and positive ways to do this in order to raise
revenue for our students' education and the programs that we are trying to
maintain. We are excited about this opportunity and thank the senator for his
advocacy of our school districts."

Dr. James P. Newton, Tonawanda city superintendent of
schools, said, "With the New York state tax cap and the need to keep taxes
lower, Sen. Grisanti has sponsored legislation to help districts increase funds
with advertisement revenue. School districts are looking to seek creative ways
for raising revenue. Appropriate advertising on athletic fields, approved
by boards of education, will not only help school districts financially, but it
will also promote the business that advertises, and 100 percent of the
generated revenue will remain in the school district."

This legislation would create a way for school districts to
raise extra revenue. This is not a mandate, but rather an option for school
districts. All ads must be approved by the local board of education.

Ads strictly prohibited are those for tobacco or alcohol
products or for political advocacy.